Agate Fossil Beds National Monument

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The visitor center sits in the middle of mixed grass prairie.
From the Fossil Hills Trail the Visitor Center is a ship in a sea of prairie grasses.
Tipis and Fossil Hills represent the two subjects that Agate Fossil Beds interprets.
One of the first impressions that visitors have are the tipis and the Fossil Hills.
Thunderheads are common in July.
Summer storms include thunderheads and lightning and can be exciting and dangerous.
The Dinohyus was a scavenger, nicknamed "Terrible Pig"
Visitors stare in wonder at the huge head of the "apex" predator of the plains some 20 million years ago.
This buckskin shirt decorated with quills was worn by Red Cloud.
Visitors agree that this shirt decorated with quillwork and worn by Red Cloud of the Oglala Lakota is a priceless piece of history.
Photos: National Park Service

About Agate Fossil Beds National Monument

In the early 1900s, paleontologists unearthed the Age of Mammals when they found full skeletons of extinct Miocene mammals in the hills of Nebraska -- species previously only known through fragments. At the same time, an age of friendship began between rancher James Cook and Chief Red Cloud of the Lakota. These two unprecedented events are preserved and protected here... at Agate Fossil Beds.

Quick Facts

State Nebraska
Designation National Monument
State Code NE
Weather Summers can be very warm, high 90's to 100 with the frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Plan to hike early and come down from the higher points if storms threaten. Winter temperatures…

Location & Map

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is located in Nebraska.

Operating Hours

The park's two trails are open from dawn till dusk every day. Visitor Center features Miocene Mammal fossils, a 12 minute movie, and the James H. Cook Collection, a unique collection of American Indian artifacts that were gifts to James Cook and his family.

Wednesday All Day
Monday All Day
Thursday All Day
Sunday All Day
Tuesday All Day
Friday All Day
Saturday All Day

Activities

Arts and Culture Cultural Demonstrations Astronomy Stargazing Food Picnicking Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Walking Hiking Junior Ranger Program Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Park Film Museum Exhibits Shopping Bookstore and Park Store

Getting There

From US 20: 22 miles south of Harrison, NE on State Hwy 29, then three miles east on River Road (paved) From US 26: 34 miles north of Mitchell, NE on State Hwy 29, then three miles east on River Road (paved). From State Hwy 71: 25 miles west on the unpaved portion of River Road.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

Address 301 River Road, Harrison, NE, 69346
Phone 3086654113
Email agfo_ranger_activities@nps.gov

Topics & Themes

Farming and Agriculture Ranches Native American Heritage Westward Expansion Homesteading Animals Birds Tortoises and Turtles Fossils and Paleontology Geology Grasslands Prairies Night Sky River and Riparian Rock Landscapes and Features Scenic Views

Things To Do

Daemonelix Trail

Daemonelix Trail

Hike a one-mile trail back in time to the day of the paleocaster, a dry land beaver, and paleosoils, fossilized…

This is a one-mile hike on a solid surface trail through a rugged landscape. Interpretive signs teill the story of…

Fossil Hills Trail

Fossil Hills Trail

Hike to University (left) and Carnegie Hills. The 2.7-mile Fossil Hills Trail allows visitors to walk up to and see…

From the visitor center, the trail crosses the Niobrara River and its wetlands, passes through ecologically intact short- and mixed-grass…

Visitor Centers

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Visitor Center

The visitor center is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. Summer hours are May 15 through September 30. The visitor center…

Hours: Visitor Center features Miocene Mammal fossils, a 12 minute movie, and the James H. Cook Collection, a unique collection of American Indian artifacts that were gifts to James Cook and his family. The park's two trails are open from dawn till dusk every day.

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